President [of Mississippi Industrial Institute and College, now known as Mississippi University for Women, Henry] Whitfield was always eager for his girls to be exposed to any informative feature. In 1909 he arranged for President William Howard Taft to visit the campus and speak to the girls. The students appreciated a visit from the President of the United States and enjoyed hearing him speak, but they were probably more impressed with his size and appetite—he ate five bowls of brunswick stew.

— Catch the Vision by Bill R. Baker (Page 58)